On February 10, at 9.30 a.m., the first expedition left for the South.  We were four men, with three sledges and eighteen dogs, six for each sledge.  The load amounted to about 550 pounds of provisions per sledge, besides the provisions and outfit for the journey.  We could not tell, even approximately, how long the journey would take, as everything was unknown.  The chief thing we took on our sledges was dogs’ pemmican for the depot, 350 pounds per sledge.  We also took a quantity of seal meat cut into steaks, blubber, dried fish, chocolate, margarine, and biscuits.  We had ten long bamboo poles, with black flags, to mark the way.  The rest of our outfit consisted of two three-man tents, four one-man sleeping-bags, and the necessary cooking utensils.

The dogs were very willing, and we left Framheim at full gallop.  Along the Barrier we went well.  Going down to the sea-ice we had to pass through a number of big hummocks —­ a fairly rough surface.  Nor was this without consequences; first one sledge, then another, swung round.  But no harm was done; we got our gear tested, and that is always an advantage.  We also had to pass rather near several large groups of seals, and the temptation was too great.  Away went the dogs to one side in full gallop towards the seals.  But this time the load was heavy, and they were soon tired of the extra work.  In the bay we were in sight of the Fram.  The ice had now given way entirely, so that she lay close to the Barrier itself.  Our four comrades, who were to stay at home, accompanied us.  In the first place, they wanted to see us on our way, and in the second, they would be able to lend us a hand in getting up the Barrier, for we were rather apprehensive that it would cost us a wet shirt.  Finally, they were to hunt seals.  There was plenty of opportunity here; where-ever one looked there were seals —­ fat heavy beasts.

I had put the home party under Wisting’s command, and given them enough work to do.  They were to bring up the remainder of the stores from the ship, and to build a large, roomy pent-house against the western wall of the hut, so that we should not have to go directly on to the ice from the kitchen.  We also intended to use this as a carpenter’s workshop.  But they were not to forget the seal-hunting, early and late.  It was important to us to get seals enough to enable us all, men and dogs, to live in plenty.  And there were enough to be had.  If we ran short of fresh meat in the course of the winter, it would be entirely our own fault.

It was a good thing we had help for the climb.  Short as it was, it caused us a good deal of trouble; but we had dogs enough, and by harnessing a sufficient number we got the sledges up.  I should like to know what they thought on board.  They could see we were already hard put to it to get up here.  What would it be like when we had to get on to the plateau?  I do not know whether they thought of the old saying:  Practice makes perfect.